Social Work Reflections

PREFACE
FOREWORD
Malcolm Payne


INTRODUCTION
Neil Thompson and Sarah Vicary


PART I: Setting the Scene
1. Who, What, When, Where, How and Why
Neil Thompson


2. Social Work History
Sarah Vicary


3. International Social Work: Challenge and Inspiration
David N. Jones


PART II: Key Concepts and Issues
4. Values
Neil Thompson


5. Addressing (Internalized) Sexism: The Power of Critical Self-Awareness and Self-Care Practices
Tashel Bordere, Elizabeth Sharp, Audra Nivens


6. Developing Anti-Racist Practice
Abyd Quinn Aziz


7. Using Research Evidence to Inform Practice
Shirley Boyle


8. It’s Not What You Do, It’s The Way That You Do It
Helen Casey, Shelley Buckley, Anna Elliot, Jackie King-Owen, Amanda Shields


9. The Importance of Language
Ceinwen Gwilym


10. The Spiritually Intelligent Social Worker
Gerry Skelton


11. Loss and Grief
Sue Thompson


12. Childhood Trauma
Vivienne Dacre


13. Implementing Compassion in Practice
Darcy Harris


14. Social Justice and the Climate Emergency
Lindsay Giddings, Gillian Ferguson


15. From Pixels to People: Unpacking the Impact of Artificial Intelligence
Sharif Haider


PART III: Key Methods and Skills
16. Effective Communication in Practice
Rebecca Tipton, Celia Hulme


17. Solution-Focused Practice
Guy Shennan


18. Can We ‘Trust in Trust’ in Child Protection?
Sarah Brown


19. Adopting a Human Rights Approach within Child and Adult Safeguarding through Advocacy
Jeremy Dixon, Justin Rogers


20. Professional Curiosity: A Critical Component of Effective Practice and Professional Identity
Nora Duckett


21. Groupwork
Mark Doel


22. The Community Dimension
Paul Stepney


23. Exploring Creative Practice
Amanda Shields, Clare Joyce, Shauneen O’Connor


PART IV: The People We Serve
24. What Can Good Social Work Do with Children and Families?
Hannah Bates


25. The Power of Participation: Working with Care-Experienced People
Justin Rogers, Ian Thomas


26. Seeing Things Differently: Why Neurodiversity Matters
James Ganpatsingh, Jo Strang


27. Working with Older People: Challenging Ageism
Sue Thompson


28. Understanding Substance Use in Practice
Gillian Ferguson


29. Working with Refugees and Asylum Seekers
Rebecca Joy Novell


PART V: The Organizational Context
30. Organizational Dynamics
Neil Thompson


31. Self-Care and Resilience
Jermaine M. Ravalier, Ciarán Murphy, Paula McFadden, Caroline Bald


32. Reflective Supervision
Jermaine M. Ravalier, John McGowan


33. Learning in an Extraordinary Job: Social Work Professional Development
Gillian Ferguson


CONCLUSION
Neil Thompson and Sarah Vicary


REFERENCES
INDEX

“This book stands out for its integration of knowledge from lived experience, inclusive practice, and compassionate pedagogy - making it essential reading for students and practitioners alike.” 
Lucy Basterra, Senior Lecturer in Social Work, University of Brighton, UK 

“I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone committed to reflective, ethical, and compassionate social work practice.” 
Gwenan Prysor, Senior Lecturer in Social Work, Bangor University, UK

Social Work Reflections is a compelling testament to the significance and impact of social work. Recognizing the challenges practitioners face in an increasingly complex and evolving field, this edited collection brings together diverse perspectives from educators, practitioners and managers to showcase the vital role social workers play in advancing social justice and safeguarding society’s most vulnerable members. 

Drawing on the expertise of academics, practitioners and individuals with the lived experience of social work services, this book aims to inspire progress and empower students, practitioners and managers at all levels of study and practice by emphasizing their value as drivers of individual and collective change. 

The book:

• Emphasizes the core values of social work: social justice, dignity and compassion
• Integrates theoretical insights with lived experiences from diverse contributors, enriching nuanced areas of practice
• Encourages development of critical thinking and reflection skills
• Offers encouragement to practitioners, managers and students striving to achieve positive outcomes under challenging circumstances

Social Work Reflections is the essential companion for students, newly qualified social workers, practitioners and managers. Of value to anyone considering a career in social work, this book reaffirms the crucial role social work plays in building a more just and compassionate society.

Neil Thompson is an award-winning writer and educator and a visiting professor at the Open University and Wrexham University, UK.

Sarah Vicary is Professor of Social Work and Mental Health at The Open University, UK.